Precious Achiuwa Steps Up as Knicks Adjust to OG Anunoby’s Absence

NEW YORK — Precious Achiuwa made his presence felt Monday night at Madison Square Garden, stepping into the starting lineup for the New York Knicks in place of the injured OG Anunoby. Anunoby, sidelined with a mild foot sprain, is considered day-to-day, leaving Achiuwa to fill the void in a 109-94 victory over the Houston Rockets.

“I’m Precious Achiuwa. Just being able to play my game, really,” Achiuwa told The Post after the game. “I’m a winner. Just play my game, I’m not going to be OG. We have different styles of play. For me, it’s just doing the things I know I’m elite at and continuing to do that.”

Achiuwa, who earlier this season claimed to be an “elite” defender, backed up his words with two steals, seven points, and nine rebounds in 34 minutes of play. It was his second-highest minute total of the season, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly in Anunoby’s absence.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau praised Achiuwa’s defensive efforts, saying, “I thought Precious, his defense helped a lot, just because of the switchability that we have with him. They have a number of guys that have great quickness that can go off the dribble. You have to build your shell, and when we build our shell, we’re pretty good.”

Meanwhile, Ariel Hukporti, who played just eight minutes, managed to accumulate four fouls but earned praise from teammates for his energy. “I respect it,” said Jalen Brunson. “He came in there, and he came with great energy. I’m not even trying to be funny. It’s really tough when you don’t know when your number is going to be called and you come and try to impact the game. And he did. Loved his energy, loved what he did. Proud of him.”

Hukporti, though scoreless, recorded a block and two rebounds but finished with a team-worst minus-14 rating. Josh Hart echoed Brunson’s sentiments, saying, “Great energy. I think that was the biggest thing. Obviously, he’s young, the flow of the game was different than what he’s used to. He gave us great energy, good minutes.”

The Knicks’ victory came amid broader NBA trade rumors, including a stunning three-team blockbuster deal that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Mavericks. “I think everybody was in awe, shocked,” Hart said of the trade. “Got to give credit to [Lakers president of basketball operations] Rob Pelinka, man: highway robbery. Good for them.”

With Anunoby’s return timeline uncertain, Achiuwa’s role remains critical for the Knicks as they navigate a challenging stretch of their schedule. His ability to step up in high-pressure situations could prove pivotal for the team’s playoff aspirations.